Losing Weight After Baby...

Losing weight was so much easier the second time around after having a baby! I learned what to do and what not to do during the pregnancy and after to stay in good shape.  I wish I knew that the first time around.  Let me give you a little back story. When I found out I was pregnant with Allison (who is now 5), I was 105lbs.  I was in the best shape of my life.  As soon as I heard those words "you're pregnant", it was like getting the green light to eat whatever I wanted.  We lived in Memphis at the time and everything had bbq sauce on it and deep fried. You know, REALLY good food!  I indulged. A lot.  When our little princess was born, I was 152. At Allison's 6 week check up, I had gained another 10 lbs. By the time she was 6 months old, another 10 lbs.  I didn't do anything but eat and take care of the baby.  I always heard "oh, that weight will fall right off".  Well, it never did.  I didn't even notice I had gained that much weight until Allisons first birthday.  Seeing those pictures of myself was a huge wake up call.  Huge.  I was no longer that tall and skinny girl.  I was miserable, overweight, unhealthy and depressed.  

This was Allisons first birthday. I did a good job of hiding my weight with big clothes. You can tell in my arms!

When Allison was one, we moved to Arkansas and I basically lived in the gym. Kiko would work during the day and I stayed home with Alli. Once he walked in that door, I was off to the gym. I would take a Zumba class, toning then kick boxing in one night 6 nights a week. On a nice day, I would stroll Alli around our apartment complex for hours then head to the gym.  This is where I fell in love with Zumba.  It got me dancing again.  It was nice! It took me 9 months to lose the weight. It wasn't easy AT ALL. I was determined to not let myself go like that again because it took a lot time out of my life to fight my way back into shape. 

When I found out I was pregnant with Alexander, I was 126 lb.  I had a terrible case of morning sickness in the beginning.  I lost 16 lbs the first 3 months.  The day I had Alexander, I was 135.  I didn't gain a lot of weight due to the morning sickness and my prenatal yoga.  I also ate super healthy.  Lots of fruits and veggies helped my morning sickness.  I lived on watermelon! I think my healthy lifestyle also helped with my labor.  Labor with Alexander was even easier than Allisons.  I was in labor for 6 hours with Alli.  My water broke at 3:30  p.m. with Alexander and he was here at 5:56 p.m.  I pushed 3 times and there was our little prince! Super easy.  No terrible stories here! But I think my life style changes REALLY helped.  After he was born, he had some troubles so he was in the NICU. I was able to walk that hospital with no problems just 4 hours after I had the baby.  I would sprint throw the hospital to go see him.  I started walking with Alexander at night when we brought him home. It helped him sleep and I got in a workout!

Now that I am a busy full time working, taxi cab driving, therapist, ring leader, wife and mom, I need structure and schedules in my life! I made lots of lifestyle changes to make a very healthy and stress free life!  I now find time to work out whenever I can. If that means waking up at 4:45 to work out then it means I get up with the roosters! I found that making myself a priority helps.  

Every Sunday, I food prep for the week.  I make the same breakfast and lunch for all 7 days. I also prep out my snacks for the week.  I always make 3 snacks for the day. Dinners are always something that goes in the slower cook.  (I love my slow cooker sooo much) I think food prepping the best thing when you have kids, a husband, and a full time job (or 2). 

I will give you an example of what my meals look like for the week.  This is actually my meal plan for next week.

Breakfast:  3 Egg whites on a tortilla with homemade salsa verde. 

Snack: Cucumbers with homemade hummus. 

Lunch: 4 oz. chicken with Mrs. Dash seasoning, brown rice, broccoli, carrots, squash and peas.

Snack: 2 Rice cakes with a tablespoon on peanut butter. (I LOVE this snack)

Dinner:  Slow cooker chickpea chili with a spinach salad. Slow cooker Italian chicken with roasted sweet potatoes, leeks and brown rice.  

Snack:  (I only eat this snack a few days) Carrots with fat free ranch dressing.

Once you get the hang of food prepping, it will CHANGE YOUR LIFE! I promise.  You make one big mess for the week then your food is done. It really helps to stay on track.  It is now part of my life to be fit.  I also want to mention that I no longer look to my scale for validation.  My goal is not what the number is on the scale.  My goal is not run a half marathon and not puke or give up! I'm getting there slowly! 

I am ALWAYS happy to be someones cheerleader.  You can make great life changes but you have to be ready and willing to do it.  I do this for my daughter really.  I don't want her to grow up with a mother who has a bad relationship with food or hates her body.  I want it to be easy for her to make good healthy decisions because it is what is normal for her.  I want to be the healthiest and happiest I can be for my kids.  They are the center of my world and I want to enjoy them as much as I possibly can.